Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh today chaired an important meeting to review the assessment of funds required under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the restoration of infrastructure damaged across the district due to recent heavy rains.
The meeting was held in the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner and attended by ADDC Roshan Lal; ADC Anil Kumar Thakur; ACR Ashraf Pervez; Deputy Director Employment & Counselling Centre Rafiq Ahmed Jaral; CPO Manesh Kumar Manhas; Accounts Officer, and representatives of the other departments.
The meeting was also joined by XENs of Jal Shakti, PHE Division, PMGSY, PWD (R&B), Irrigation, and Power Development Department (PDD) through virtual mode. In addition, the SDMs and Tehsildars from across the district attended the meeting virtually to provide ground-level details of damages reported in their respective jurisdictions.
The officers presented a detailed account of the damages caused to electric poles and transmission lines, rural and main link roads blocked by landslides, partially damaged or waterlogged school buildings, damages to irrigation canals, water supply schemes, culverts, bridges, community halls and health centres.
It was informed that the incessant rains also damaged drainage system, retaining walls, water supply pipes and safety bunds along rivers and streams, thereby disrupting essential services and daily life.
During the deliberations, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to ensure transparent estimation of damages, supported by photographs and technical reports, to avoid any discrepancies in the fund allocation process.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing critical infrastructure like road connectivity, power supply, drinking water facilities, and community assets, which are essential for public convenience.
He also asked SDMs to coordinate closely with Tehsildars, engineers, and line departments to ensure timely submission of damage assessment reports so that proposals can be forwarded to the higher authorities without delay.
“While preparing estimates, officers must ensure that the requirement of funds remains genuine, realistic, and in accordance with SDRF guidelines,” he stressed. He also directed concerned departments to maintain transparency in execution once funds are released, with regular monitoring of works at the ground level.